Low-income individuals in Santa Clara County will get help paying VTA fares

Two acronyms, UPLIFT and TAP, are going to make getting around a bit easier for low-income individuals.

UPLIFT--Universal Pass for Life Improvement from Transportation--is an existing Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority program that gives free quarterly transit passes to case-managed, homeless individuals and those in danger of becoming homeless.

The VTA board voted unanimously at its August meeting to increase the number of passes awarded from 1,850 to 2,775 per quarter.

The board is making the move in partnership with the city of San Jose, Santa Clara County's Social Services Agency and the Department of Mental Health. The increase in UPLIFT passes is expected to begin in the 2014 fiscal year, which starts in July 2014, after both San Jose and the county pass budgets with necessary funding.

At the same meeting the board voted to implement a two-year Transit Assistance Program, or TAP.

Using a $1.3 million grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the VTA will offer 1,000 passes each month for 24 months at a nominal cost to qualifying low-income individuals.

The Santa Clara County Social Services Agency and the Emergency Assistance Network will partner with the VTA to distribute TAP passes and manage, monitor and evaluate the pilot program.

Members of PACT--People Acting in Community Together--initially raised the idea of discounted fare programs for low-income residents at a 2011 public forum attended by several VTA board members, including Sam Liccardo, a San Jose councilman.

Advertisement

Afterward, Liccardo coordinated efforts with PACT leaders and VTA staff to craft a proposal for the MTC grant, which is proving the critical funding to implement the low fare program.

"I am grateful that community leaders spoke up on this issue and worked with us constructively to seek a solution," said Liccardo, who also serves on the MTC board.

"I extend my thanks to PACT leaders Rev. Dana Bainbridge and Sandy Hietala for their leadership. This is an example of how our community can come together to make public services really work, especially for those who face challenges in getting to work, school and essential services."